The Holy City Would Not Take Him Away

"This postwar meeting is adjourned. All departments will proceed as arranged." Yasol's voice echoed through the Assembly Hall of Weeping Saint Cathedral, bringing the senior officers' meeting to a close.

The people in the hall gathered their documents and left one after another, their expressions varied as each considered what to do next.

The heavy stone doors slowly closed, shutting out the sound of footsteps. Silence returned to the hall.

White-gold Holy Light streamed down from the vaulted ceiling onto the two people who remained.

Yasol still sat in the seat of honor, his blind eyes calmly facing forward.

The Anointed One leaned against the wall to one side, looking at Yasol's unseeing eyes with a complicated expression.

The silence lasted a while before Yasol spoke. "The Tear Knights finally held steady this Blood Moon Season. Our losses were far lower than expected, and what that young man achieved exceeded expectations too. Of course, we have you to thank as well."

The Anointed One smiled. "You're too polite. This is what someone in my position should do."

Then his tone turned serious. "The Tear Knight Defense Line held because we concentrated our resources, made the right adjustments, and had me here.

"But the entire Eternal Night Line has clearly been under heavier pressure lately. Werewolf and Vampire attacks on several northern stretches have grown more frequent and more concentrated.

"More anomalies are appearing, and certain areas are being threatened again and again. Many Inland nations behind the Eternal Night Wall are already close to the limit of what they can contribute.

"The Sacred Flame Echo Console may ease the pressure between defense lines, though. I'll take this system back to the Holy City.

"The young man who invented it, Shien, is interesting."

Yasol did not respond. He waited for the